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Energy Conservation

Year-Round Energy-Saving Tips

Saving energy can be painless with a few simple measures that also reduce monthly bills and help the environment. Here are some steps you and your family can take to conserve energy. You can also download printable PDF files in English or Spanish.

Turn off your lights. Turn off the lights when you're not in the room. Consider trading incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs. CFs provide attractive light, use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer!

Hit the switch. If you see something electrical that's not being used, turn it off. This might seem obvious, but it can really add up.

Dust your refrigerator. Vacuum the dust off the refrigerator coils (found in the back or underneath the unit) every 3 months - it takes less energy to cool that way. Turn on the energy saver switch, if you have one. Check the gaskets around the door and make sure it shuts tight.

Monitor your home's temperature. During winter, keep your thermostat no higher than 68° F during the day and 55°F at night. During summer, set the thermostat no lower than 75°F. Move shades and curtains to help heat or cool the house. Seal window and door leaks with caulk and weather-stripping.

Keep your water heater cozy. Wrap your water heater in an insulating blanket to improve efficiency. Turn its thermostat down to 120°F (140°F if you have a dishwasher without a booster heater). This saves energy and helps prevent hot water burns.

Consider these investments for long-term savings and efficiency:

Replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones. Refrigerators built since 1993 are 40% more energy-efficient than models built 10 years prior! Look for models with the Energy Star label, and keep an eye out for rebates sponsored by your utility company or the Electric and Gas Industries Association (EGIA).

Plant shade trees near your house to keep cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Add insulation to your attic and walls.

Consider installing window coatings or double-paned windows.

Contact your utility company for more information on home energy efficiency

Kids: Here's what you can do at home and school …

Choose a class energy monitor who will make sure energy is being properly used. You can pick a new monitor each week! The energy monitor will turn off lights when no one is in the room, such as during recess and after class.

Make "Turn It Off" signs for the light switches at school and at home.

Be a detective! Help your parents find leaks and drafts in windows and doors by making a map of your house. Label all the doors, windows and vents. Then take a ribbon and hold it next to the edges of doors and windows. If it flutters, you've found a leak! Give the map to your parents and ask them seal any leaks.

Links

The following Web sites have additional information on home energy savings: